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Carcinogenesis involves altered cellular interaction and tissue morphology that partly arise from aberrant expression of cadherins. Mucin-like protocadherin is implicated in intercellular adhesion and its expression was found decreased in colorectal cancer (CRC). This study has compared MUPCDH (CDHR5) expression in three key types of colorectal tissue samples, for normal mucosa, adenoma, and carcinoma. A gradual decrease of mRNA levels and protein expression was observed in progressive stages of colorectal carcinogenesis which are consistent with reports of increasing MUPCDH 5′ promoter region DNA methylation. High MUPCDH methylation was also observed in HCT116 and SW480 CRC cell lines that revealed low gene expression levels compared to COLO205 and HT29 cell lines which lack DNA methylation at the MUPCDH locus. Furthermore, HCT116 and SW480 showed lower levels of RNA polymerase II and histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) as well as higher levels of H3K27 trimethylation at the MUPCDH promoter. MUPCDH expression was however restored in HCT116 and SW480 cells in the presence of 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine (DNA methyltransferase inhibitor). Results indicate that μ-protocadherin downregulation occurs during early stages of tumourigenesis and progression into the adenoma-carcinoma sequence. Epigenetic mechanisms are involved in this silencing.

A veterinarian presented with multiple erythematous tender nodules over his right hand and arm. One month prior to the appearance of the lesions, he had treated a cat imported from Brazil who had ulcerated pustular cutaneous lesions. Despite antibiotic treatment there had been no improvement in his symptoms. Biopsies from the patient were sent for histology, bacterial and fungal culture. Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stains showed a PAS positive oval yeast-like micro-organism with surrounding necrosis. Fungal cultures resembling Sporothrix species grew after 18 days with typical appearances seen on direct microscopy; this was confirmed as Sporothrix brasiliensis on 18S PCR. The patient was treated with oral itraconazole. This is a unique case of cutaneous S. brasiliensis acquired from an infected imported cat. S. brasiliensis is a rare pathogen in the UK. This case has clinical relevance due to its unusual aetiology and in raising awareness of rarer infections associated with importation of pets and global travel. Clinicians should be aware of sporotrichosis as a differential diagnosis for cutaneous and extracutaneous infection in patients with a high risk of exposure, as well as the use of appropriate diagnostic tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH)‐deficient renal cancer is a rare renal cancer subtype recently accepted by the World Health Organization as a unique subtype of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Here we report a case of 17‐year‐old man. The detailed evaluation indicated occurrence of the SDHB‐deficient RCC. The genetic testing revealed no germline mutation in SDH genes. Immunohistochemistry showed SDHB deficiency, overexpression of pyruvate kinase M2 and dramatic downregulation of fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase metabolic enzymes, and unaltered levels of phosphorylated AMP‐activated protein kinase and mammalian target of rapamycin. Strong upregulation of INI1 and BRG1 and overexpression of BAF180, subunits of SWI/SNF ATP‐dependent chromatin remodeling complex, were also found. The identified tumor pathologically did not resemble clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), but some metabolic alterations are common for both cancer types. Thus, we postulate that the phenotypical differences between ccRCC and SDHB‐deficient RCC may be related to distinct molecular and metabolic alterations. Implications for Practice: Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH)‐deficient renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a rare renal tumor occurring even in young patients. Until now, in all described and genetically tested cases, mutations and deletions in SDH genes have been found. This article describes SDHB‐deficient RCC without any germline mutations in SDH genes. Therefore, genetic analysis for germline mutations in SDH genes in SDH‐deficient RCC, especially in young individuals, should be strongly recommended, although as of now it is not obligatory. This knowledge will allow improvement of patient monitoring including both disease recurrence and new cancer appearance. SDH‐deficient renal cell cancer is a rare renal tumor that can occur at a young age. This brief communication describes the case of a 17‐year‐old man. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the occurrence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) on the waistline, termed "saree cancers" and "dhoti cancers," associated with the chronic pressure and friction from traditional South Asian clothing. It study presents a case report of a cSCC arising on the waistline of a woman who wore sarees, emphasizing the rarity of malignant transformation in this context and providing a literature review on this under-recognized skin cancer.

Epithelial tissues achieve a highly organized structure due to cell-cell junction complexes. Carcinogenesis is accompanied by changes in cell interactions and tissue morphology, which appear in the early stages of benign tumors and progress along with invasive potential. The aim of the present study was to analyze the changes in expression levels of genes encoding intercellular junction proteins that have been previously identified to be differentially expressed in colorectal tumors compared with normal mucosa samples (fold change, >2.5) in genome-wide expression profiling. The expression of 20 selected genes was assessed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in 26 colorectal cancer, 42 adenoma and 24 normal mucosa samples. Between these tissue types, differences were observed in the mRNA levels of genes encoding adherens junction proteins (upregulation of CDH3 and CDH11, and downregulation of CDH19 and PTPRF), tight junction proteins (upregulation of CLDN1 and CLDN2, and downregulation of CLDN5, CLDN8, CLDN23, CLDN15, JAM2 and CGN) and desmosomes (upregulation of DSC3 and DSG3, and downregulation of DSC2), in addition to a decrease in the expression of certain other genes involved in intercellular connections: PCDHB14, PCDH7, MUPCDH and NEO1. The differences between tissue types were statistically significant, and separate clustering of normal adenoma and carcinoma samples was observed in a hierarchical clustering analysis. These results indicate that the morphological changes in neoplastic colon tissue that occur during the 'adenoma-carcinoma sequence' are accompanied by specific changes in the expression of multiple genes encoding the majority of cell-cell junction complexes. The particular differential expression patterns appear to be consistent among patients with cancer and adenoma, in addition to normal mucosa samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ductal adenocarcinoma of the prostate was initially described in 1967 by Melicow and Patcher. It was given the erroneous name endometrioid carcinoma, however, further studies confirmed the prostatic origin of this tumor. Currently DAP is classified as a histological variant of prostatic carcinoma. Compared with "classic" acinar carcinoma of the prostate, DAP is a rare histological finding. It's prevalence in prostatectomy and biopsy specimens varies from less than 1% for pure ductal adenocarcinoma up to 5% for mixed DAP. Because of its typical periurethral location, the tumor usually manifests itself clinically with urinary obstruction, urinary urgency, urinary frequency and hematuria. DAP is associated with more aggressive natural history and worse prognosis than pure AA - patients presented at more advanced stage, with poorly differentiated and distant disease. DAP has a tendency to spread to regional lymph nodes, axial skeleton, and visceral organs. We report a case of a 90-year old man who presented to our clinic with acute urinary retention and gross hematuria. He underwent suprapubic transvesical adenomectomy to diminish the urinary obstruction. The pathological examination of the specimens revealed a dominant focus of DAP, which was located near the intraprostatic urethra and a coexisting, smaller component of "classic" acinar adenocarcinoma.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radical prostatectomy (RP) is a recognized treatment method of organ-confined prostate cancer. Among post-surgery complications, urinary incontinence is a major one. The aim of this study was to determine the incontinence rate after RP and to analyze factors that might affect it. Between March 2007 and December 2008, 132 RP's were performed at Warsaw Cancer Center. A questionnaire to assess the condition before and after RP was developed by the authors and sent to all treated patients. The questionnaire focused on health status information, function in urinary domain, rate of returning to "normal" activity level as before RP and satisfaction from the treatment. The median age of patients was 62 years. Out of 132 patients 102 subjects (77.2%) responded to the questionnaire. Of all responders, 35 patients (34.3%) reported total urinary continence after RP. After RP 35(34.3%) patients reported total urinary continence and in 55(53.9%) patients urinary incontinence of medium degree was present. In 12 (11.8%) patients significant urinary incontinence developed. The most common cause of urine dripping (82% of patients with any degree of urinary incontinence) was associated with abdominal muscle pressure. No statistically significant association between urinary incontinence and adjuvant radiotherapy after RP or the surgeon performing the RP was found (>0.79, >0.803). Radical prostatectomy carries a certain risk of complications. We observed an 88.2% rate of significant (total and moderate degree) urinary continence. The adjuvant radiotherapy and surgeons, who performed the RP, did not affect the rate of incontinence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on a study which evaluated whether pathologic features and etiologic associations differ among molecular subtypes of breast cancer. It presents a review of previous studies on the molecular profiles in breast tumors. An overview of the study population is given, as well as details on the methodology used in the research. Key findings are discussed.

A case of a 30-year-old female patient diagnosed with mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma (MT&SCC) of her left kidney of the basis of an abdominal ultrasound scan performed when nonspecific pain is presented. The histopathology report revealed a classic type of MT&SCC. Photographs of histopathological samples are shown. Nephrectomy was applied as sole treatment. A follow-up of six years confirmed surgery to be a sufficient approach. The discussion presents a review of up to date world literature concerning the histopathological features, prognosis, and treatment of MT&SCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nephron sparing surgery (NSS) is a technique more frequently utilized in the case of surgical treatment of kidney tumor. The aim of the study is to assess renal function in patients treated with NSS for renal tumors. Twenty patients, after NSS performed for renal tumor, were included in the study. In each patient dynamic renal scintigraphy was performed before surgical treatment (test No. 1) and after a mean interval of 12 months after surgical procedure (test No. 2). In each test renographic curves were evaluated. Creatinine levels and GFR rates were also assessed. Mean GFR was 84 ml/ min/1.73 m2 before surgery, and 79 ml/min/1.73 m2 after surgical procedure. Mean change of GFR value after the surgical procedure was -5.1 (p >0.058). On renography significant deterioration of renal function was observed in the operated kidneys of 4 patients (20%) after NSS, insignificant deterioration - in four patients (20%) and improvement of renal function of operated kidney was found in one patient. In 12 patients (60%) no change was observed. The relative percentage GFR-share of operated kidney decreased by the average value of 3.8% (p >0.005). Multifactorial analysis did not identify significant effect of potential risk factors on the function of the kidney subjected to NSS. Preliminary results of this study confirm that deterioration of renal function after NSS is a rare event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory pseudotumor is a rare lesion in the urinary bladder, difficult to differentiate from bladder malignancies on clinical grounds only. We present a case report of the inflammatory pseudotumor of the bladder in a 26 year-old female, who sought medical advice due to non-specific discomfort in the perineal region and lower abdomen. On ultrasound scan and computed tomography a mass in the left pelvic cavity was identified, attached to the wall of the bladder, compressing the left ovary. The patient was treated surgically with partial cystectomy. A diagnosis of inflammatory pseudotumor was made on histologic assessment of the surgical specimen. Five years of follow-up has been relapse-free in this patient. Due to the relative rarity of inflammatory pseudotumor in the bladder, no diagnostic and treatment algorithm for this entity has been created to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]